ALRIGHT EVERYONE, I desprately need you help on this one...plz read
 

So I guess several of you know I was looking at a 1998 BAJA Outlaw. Well I have it in my possesion(sp) and drove it today. It is a 454 mpi and it has severe rust in the EC. Some wood needs to be replaced and odd and end stuff done. The hull is mint!! No scratches. I can get the boat for about 25k. Do I do it and refresh or not at all.

When I turn SHARPLY (max) low speed the outdrive sounds like it is dry or grinding. Is this minor or normal. This is my 1st big boat so Im not sure. Please give me all of your suggestion, positive or negative. I will be on and off all night and will be responding..

Please help me fellow boaters as I have to make a decision Monday. Tell me what I have to look for since I have the boat with me right know..

Thank you so much....

Dave :eek:

Re: ALRIGHT EVERYONE, I desprately need you help on this one...plz read
 

How many hours on boat?

Re: ALRIGHT EVERYONE, I desprately need you help on this one...plz read
 

256 BUT SUPPOSEDLY 50 HOURS WAS DONE BY THE DEALER LEAVING THE KEY ON AND IT WAS OFFERED TO REPLACE THE HOUR METER BY BAJA.. BUT IT WASNT DONE....sorry about the caps..........

Re: ALRIGHT EVERYONE, I desprately need you help on this one...plz read
 

The noise you hear when turning sharply is probably a worn gimble bearing or u-joint. Either should be replaced. Rust and corrosion in the engine compartment can be an expensive and or time consuming problen to fix. I know I did it with my first boat.

My advice to you is to get a professional to look at the boat for you. Have them pull the outdrive to check the gimble bearing, u-joint, drive coupler, and engine allignment. If you are not familiar with what it cost to replace these items it could be a shocker!

Is this boat local?

Ron

Re: ALRIGHT EVERYONE, I desprately need you help on this one...plz read
 

You dont by chance have the fountain dealership do you???

Yes this boat is local..

From Prairieville

Im in St. Amant

How much Worst case is it to fix???

Re: ALRIGHT EVERYONE, I desprately need you help on this one...plz read
 

No I dont have the Fountain dealership. However they are close personal friends of mine. We are in the Baton Rouge Boat Club together.

Worst case is the drive is shot. Not likely but if it is its like $3500.00 to replace. The gimble bearing, which I think may be the cause, is not that expensive but parts and labor to do it right will be a few hundred. The engine coupler if worn from bad engine allignment is about $350.00 for the part and about another $200.00 for labor because the engine must come out.

Bottom line is that if the boat is making a noise the seller must let you check the problem out before you buy. If you dont know what your getting into you need a pro to look at the boat.

Im in Prairieville you can call me now if you would like to chat. 225-677-5424

Ron

Re: ALRIGHT EVERYONE, I desprately need you help on this one...plz read
 

will do ...thanks

Re: ALRIGHT EVERYONE, I desprately need you help on this one...plz read
 

Thanks Ron for all of your help and knowledge... It was greatly appreciated..

I will take the boat Monday A.M. and get the outdrive looked at.

Thanks again...

Anyone know what the typical cost of refreshining 454 mags cost?

Re: ALRIGHT EVERYONE, I desprately need you help on this one...plz read
 

Leaving the key on is the standard story you hear all the time when it comes to hour meters.Thank God the new Merc engine computers tell the real story.

Re: ALRIGHT EVERYONE, I desprately need you help on this one...plz read
 

Yeah that's right . . . at last service, my engines actually had 24hrs less on them than the hour meter indicated. 50 hours is NOT unrealistic.